Ready For the ’70s? Mad Men’s Jessica Pare Recalls Her Best Costumes So Far

Lovers of retro fashion rejoice! Mad Men is back next month for its final season and heading from the swinging ’60s into the glamourous ’70s. If the season 7 promo shots are any indication, Jessica Paré’s character Megan Draper, is particularly in for a psychedelic treat (think swirling pink prints, mini-dresses and poufy waved ‘dos). But it’s not the first time Paré has had to deal with a wardrobe shift. In fact, Megan has been through a variety of looks. Here, Paré tells InStyle.com how the fashions have helped her bring Megan to life.

The Naive Secretary

Before she was ever Mrs. Don Draper, Megan got her in as a fresh-faced secretary. “There wasn’t much on the page about the character,” Paré says. “At first, I learned a lot from my costumes and hair and makeup, because when Megan started she was wearing solid colors and bright things. She was young; she was there to work; and she was enthusiastic.”

The Ambitious Copywriter

By season 5, Megan moves on up at the advertising firm, landing a coveted copywriter post. “She has a bit more of a bankroll,” Paré says, nodding to the shift dresses. “She’s definitely expressing herself a bit more with her clothes, but it’s still very professional.”

The Aspiring Actress

Last season, Megan ditches the corporate life for the audition track. As such, it was out with the conventional dresses and in with “so many high-waisted jeans and turtlenecks!” Paré says.

The T-Shirt Moment

Close-watchers may remember Megan’s Sharon Tate moment,when she hangs out in nothing but a white t-shirt with a red star printed in the center and underwear. Though Paré assures that the outfit was more about catching Megan in a vulnerable moment, she leaves any possible Tate-like storylines mysteriously open-ended. “Can I say that Megan’s not going to be murdered?” Paré says. ” No, because I haven’t read the whole season.”